A boating mystery

Charles Zusman photoNew York City is just down the river. Where is everybody?

Charles Zusman photoNot much wind, but you can't beat the local color.

Why aren't there more boats on the Hudson River, north of the Tappan Zee Bridge? Not that I want there to be, but it's such a beautiful stretch of water, a short distance from a major population center, you'd think more boaters would take advantage of the resource.

Early this month, November, I went along for a short jaunt from Haverstraw north to Newburgh and back on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was late in the season, and many boaters have no doubt packed it in.

Each turn in the river offers a new vista, and it seemed at times like we had it all to ourselves. Here are some photos I took.

Charles Zusman photoThere's history here. This is the site near West Point where a chain was stretched across the river to block British ships.

Charles Zusman photoIt's not all fun and games. A tug and barges head south under the Bear Mountain Bridge.